Power Dynamos fans assault referee

THERE was chaos at the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola yesterday when Power Dynamos fans assaulted Lusaka-based referee Wellington Kaoma for what they termed poor officiating during this MTN-FAZ Premier League Week 24 match draw against struggling Forest Rangers.

Power fans who were led by club vice chairman George Lungu descended on Kaoma, who seems to have become accustomed to fans fury for his officiating, soon after the final whistle of this double header match that was beamed live on SuperSport and saw the Kitwe side finish the match a man down.

Power fans clad in replica jerseys appeared to have been incensed by Kaoma’s decision to overrule what appeared to be a genuine penalty when Forest skipper Musonda Mambwe clearly handled the ball in the box during the game.

The fans beat a hapless Kaoma who sustained facial injuries in full view of police officers who watched as the referee was getting clobbered before they could help.

Match commissioner Enos Siwakwi, from Luanshya, who blamed Lungu for causing the fracas, expressed disappointment at police officers, saying they had failed to protect the match official.

“This is unacceptable, I told George Lungu to restrain the fans from attacking the referee but he wouldn’t listen and went on to lead them in the attack. This is not right and I am also disappointed with the police because they were just watching as Kaoma was being beaten up, they should have prevented this. I will write a report to FAZ to highlight what transpired here,” he said.

On the field of play, Friday Kabubi converted a 54th minute spot kick to rescue a draw for Forest and deny Power a second successive victory. The penalty came about after defender Maybin Chishimba handled inside the box and Kaoma did not hesitate to send the player for an early shower and also point to the spot.

Power, who scored through a long range Mathews Nkhowani strike in the 38th minute, are ninth on 32 points while Forest remained deep in the relegation waters on 16 points.

Lime 1 Warriors 0

At the same venue, Lime Hotspurs recorded an emphatic 1-0 win over Kabwe Warriors to move
from the bottom of the table to 15th position on 17 points, a point above Forest on a weekend that saw the railwaymen away poor form continue.

John Sikaumbwe scored a match winner in the 60th minute with a clinical finish that gave coach Levy ‘Chabby’ Chabala some breathing space as January Zyambo would have equalised in stoppage time but headed the ball wide.

Zanaco 2 Napsa 2

Veteran striker Harry Milanzi inspired a determined Napsa Stars to come from 2-0 down and snatch a stunning draw off champions Zanaco to have 38 points and remained seven points adrift the league leaders Zesco United, reports ELIAS CHIPEPO from Sunset Stadium.

Moses Phiri gave the bankers the lead in the 25th minute after finishing off a rebound Roderick Kabwe shot that Napsa keeper Ngokene Eyong Aime spilled inside the box before Aubrey Funga doubled Zanaco’s advantage with another rebound 10 minutes later.

But Napsa reduced the deficit two minutes to half when Milanzi powered home a shot inside the box to give his side the needed confidence that was well wrapped up with a eye-catching 81stminute volley by Martin Tembo to hand the visitors a deserved point to move to 27 points.

Roan 0 Arrows 0

In Luanshya, Red Arrows failed to close the gap on the top three after being held to a barren draw by a determined Roan United to move up to 40 points, five points behind leaders Zesco United but with a game in hand against Nkwazi.

Buffaloes 2 Blades 0

From Woodlands Stadium, SHAMAOMA MUSONDA reports that two red cards and two goals all went against Konkola Blades yesterday as an efficient Green Buffaloes put the Chililabombwe side to the sword in this exciting match that pitted two friendly coaches on opposite benches.

Going into the match playing some exciting football, Blades were hit by a red card awarded to defender Amos Simwanza midway into this game as the visitors held on to a scoreless draw going into half time.

But the second half was not forgiving for Beston Chambeshi, a former student of Buffaloes coach Patrick Phiri, as Felix Sunzu junior headed in on 72 minutes to ease off the pressure on the army side with further trouble coming in the 85th minute for Blades when Peter Zulu was sent off for a second bookable offence, to leave the visitors with nine men.

The nine men could not just cope with the assignment ahead of them and conceded in injury time as Percy Bilyoti headed in a Stephen Kabamba’s cross from the left flank to take Buffaloes to sixth place on 36 points, two better off Blades.